Hey dear all!
As far as I can see most people are from USA, so English for you is not a problem.
May be some of you has English as a second language? How to improve it and be published in american magazins?
I would be very happy to read your stories and advices =)
English is not my native too, but I never consider writing in it. I'm aiming at my local publishing market, only one thing that bothers me a little is that I can't take a part in Lit's Writing Workshop.
But if you feel strong enough in english, go and try. Cheers.
Hi, I'm Italian and I write in English although it's not my first language. If someone can write in a consistent way, and - most important - lively enough, I believe the reader would not take the offence when the language is not native. I mean, were I to write in my first language, that wouldn't be Italian either. It would be a slang that's my native dialect/Italian/Spanish/English/Dutch mix cause that's the way I normally speak. And, if I switch to English, the only real difference is: I haven't practiced it as much in my first years as I did Italian.
I study grammar every day, nota bene. English grammar, Italian grammar, whatever. Being not a native speaker isn't a justification for writing poorly.
Good luck and rock on :)
I usually get someone to look for obvious spots where I betray my un-nativeness. Since I live in the States I'll keep trying to publish here, in English. I still try in my country too but less.
We all know that there are some famous writers whose language wasn't English but who are (gasp!) part of the canon! In English! So don't think twice, just keep practicing.
In fact, Nataliya, the biggest advice I can give is, start reading like crazy in English, and you'll start sounding better and better. See, now I found a real use for reading, folks.
Thank you all very much!
Joseph Conrad and Vladimir Nabokov weren't native English speakers either. But they've written some of the most memorable novels of the past century. Reading, writing and involving yourself in the language is the best way to improve. Apart from bringing endless entertainment, the book will go a long way in improving your proficieny in English. You won't even know it - it'll just happen over time.
Strange Metaphor, about Nabokov - do not forget that he knew English, French and Russian from the early childhood because of the family, and he was of course perfect in it.
And I am talking about English that you study apart from your everyday life where you have no opportunity to speak English, you know what I mean?
